What Hat do you Wear?

By Kim Wood

Services for Real Estate Pros with The Tech Byte

September 22, 2008 10:50 PM

Kim in someone's hat at Inman What Hat Do You Wear?

In our lifes as REALTORS (R) we learn to put on different hats depending on what tasks are upon us. Mommy, Seller agent, Tough Game Day agent, Divorce mediator, etc.

Are You YOU?

However, what hat to do put on daily? Who are you? I am very transparent in my life - I am ME. That's it. I'm just Me. Whether I'm talking to you as your Real Estate Agent, as your Business Associate, your online friend, your newest networking contact, your latest face-to-face meetup - I AM ME.

Do you Hide Behind a Hat?

Who are you online? Who are you on ActiveRain? On Twitter? What happens when you meet face-to-face? Are people surprised? Most of the people I have meet up with, it has been a great pleasure. They are just like I've gotten to know them in the circles I travel online.

However, I can't say that about everyone that I've met, I wish I could. Some people become someone they want to be online - then you meet in person - and the truth comes out. They hide behind someone they want to be.

Be YOU

Can I just say that it is not worth it to become someone else. It will bite you in the butt. Trust me on this one. Being deceitful, dishonest, or a fake will come back to bite you in some way or another. I will go out on a limb and speak for most of the online communities - We want to know you. Really! YOU. No, everyone is not going to get along with everyone. But isn't it better that you are liked for who you are; not who you have faked you to be?

No Matter Who - Be You !

People are smart. They can read phoney's. When you meet with clients - be straight with them. When you are connecting with other Real Estate Agents - be straight with them. There isn't any use in pretending to be someone/something you aren't - THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS WIN. (Maybe not right away - but it will win.)

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Chip Jefferson

Gibbs Realty and Auction Company - Columbia, SC

I dont see any advantage of being someone for real and then have a counter part on line. You will always be discovered as your real self.

Sep 22, 2008 10:56 PM

Rob & Jeannie Steward - Realtors®

RE/MAX Advantage - Nashville, TN

We Work TWICE As Hard For You! - Ashton Group

We have become armchair 'Divorce Mediatorrs' for sure. Careful not to give legal advice though, as I've heard of people being fined for practicing law without a license.

Sep 22, 2008 10:58 PM

Frank Rubi

Frank Rubi Real Estate, LLC - Metairie, LA

FrankRubiRealEstate.com

Kim, I have always believed in being me. Just say NO to ghost writers as well. We do wear many hats and should be ready at all times to shift gears.

Sep 22, 2008 11:15 PM

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Keller Williams Realty - Ann Arbor, MI

Ann Arbor Area Real Estate

As long as I'm not gone online, as long as I'm here...I am who I am. Is that clear as mud? I just mean I found found it hard to find the time to be online, but need to time block to get back to my online presence.

Sep 22, 2008 11:18 PM

Kris Wales

Keller Williams Realty - Lakeside Market Center - Macomb, MI

Real Estate Blog & Homes for Sale search site, Macomb County MI

I've had the pleasure of meeting people from AR and in every case it was a wonderful one. AND they were just like their personalities were here on AR. What fun!

Sep 22, 2008 11:18 PM

Missy Caulk

Missy Caulk TEAM - Ann Arbor, MI

Savvy Realtor - Ann Arbor Real Estate

Kim, Twitter sent me here, LOL

I like what you said about it coming back to bite you, true in every case. When you get to my age, being real is easy, you simply just give up trying to be who you are not. That is for high school when you are still trying to figure out who you are.

Hey girlfriend are you reading my mind? I did a post similiar this weekend and still tweaking it?

Sep 22, 2008 11:25 PM

Kim Wood

The Tech Byte - West Chester, PA

Kim Wood ~ The Tech Byte

Suzanne - One of the greatest things to do in the winter :) Yes! No matter what actual hat you are wearing - make sure it fits you :)

Laura - And it just isn't worth it in the long run. Lots of hurt & craziness!

Rob & Jeannie - Very, very true! No legal advice regardless of the hat (unless you are an attorney :)

Frank - Well, I share your opinion myself for ghost writers when writing more than factual, stats posts, which I believe successful blogs need to have more personality than that.... and ghost writers can NOT be you - for sure!!!!

Karen - You are one of the people I have no doubt when I meet you f2f, it will be like we're ole pals - because I think you do display who you really are :) That's gonna be really kewl when we get to meet!

Kris - Lucky you! I hope you don't have the other experience.... it's not fun.

Missy - Hey girl! Or for high school when you think it matters to try to impress the other person. Why? Everyone's personalities will not mess. They won't - and you have to be 'ok' when they don't! Guess I'm growed up a little anyway :) Link me up!!!

Sep 22, 2008 11:58 PM

Susan Mangigian

RE/MAX Preferred - West Chester, PA

Chester & Delaware County Homes, Delaware and Ches

Hi Kim! Every time I read one of your posts, I swear I could have written it. We have to get together because I believe we have so much in common. I wear a lot of hats too, mom, daughter, sister, friend, realtor, soccer cheerleader, best friend, old friend, confidante, puppy's momma. But under the hat, the same heart still laughs and cries and speaks sincerely. I am the same to everyone as well. I yam what I yam!

Sep 22, 2008 11:58 PM

Monika McGillicuddy

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Verani Realty - Hampstead, NH

Southern NH & the Seacoast Area

Excellent post Kim.

Unless you plan on hiding in your computer the rest of your life...the real you will eventually come out. Being yourself is just so much easier.

Sep 23, 2008 12:22 AM

Charlie Ragonesi

AllMountainRealty.com - Big Canoe, GA

Homes - Big Canoe, Jasper, North Georgia Pros

At the end of the day the person you oook at in the mirror should be the person you were for that day. Great post. Nice hat

Sep 23, 2008 12:34 AM

Kim Wood

The Tech Byte - West Chester, PA

Kim Wood ~ The Tech Byte

Susan - We need lunch!!! We'll either get along great or bite each other's heads off if we're too much alike - LOL. I think it'll be the first one :) Love it - I yam what I yam !

Monika - You are another one of those people I think we'll get along great when we meet! I think I know the real Monika! :) It is easier - very good point!

Charlie - exactly. Not when you look in the mirror you have to remember who you are putting to sleep that night! Then start the next day asking who you are waking up as..... very true.

Sep 23, 2008 12:55 AM

Elaine Hanson

Coldwell Banker Realty - Malibu | Topanga - Malibu, CA

REALTOR - Topanga, CA Real Estate Agent

It is too much work to put on a show and I can't be wasting my energy on that. It took me a while to grow up and accept that not everyone will like me -- but now, it all makes sense. Feels great to have let that go!

Sep 23, 2008 03:10 AM

Amy Salisbury

Leading Edge Properties - Charles Town, WV

West Virginia Realtor/Jefferson/Berkeley

Hey Kim,

Ever since you commented on my post the other day, I've been waiting to see your post. Hats seem to be a common theme lately...see Missy's comment above! What's going on out there, change of season thing? LOL...

Seriously though, I love your take on the theme! Right on target! Now I need to go see Missy's blog and see what her take is!

Sep 23, 2008 04:16 AM

Desiree Daniels

RE/MAX Tri County - Robbinsville, NJ

Truth, Justice and the American Way!!!! Crap who was that superman?

Sep 23, 2008 08:05 AM

Kim Wood

The Tech Byte - West Chester, PA

Kim Wood ~ The Tech Byte

Elaine, It is a lot of work. And growth proves that it just isn't worth it!

Amy, Yay! Glad you remembered to come look : ) Yeah, Missy too? Wow. Amazing....

Dez, Oh baby..... haHUM...........

Sep 23, 2008 09:18 AM

Connie Harvey

Pilkerton Realtors - Brentwood, TN

Realtor - Nashville TN Real Estate

Good Post Kim. I so agree. I show up at the office after working out. I won't meet someone the first time like that but... Our days are so long and sometimes confusing that I'm not always able to have my "work look" on. It's part of me and my clients have come to understand that!

Sep 23, 2008 09:52 AM

Pamela Elder

Gaines Realty - Inman, SC

I love the post!!! What you see is what you get with me... I don't pretend to be something I'm not. Keep up the good work!

Sep 23, 2008 01:23 PM

Liz Carter

Liz Carter & Team Realty-Your Real Estate Resource For Life! - Katy, TX

Broker/Owner of Liz Carter & Team Realty, Katy TX (Houston)

Kim...

Cool hat, and it looks hot on you too :-)...was just reading Missy's post about y'alls meeting. Our group here in TX is so awesome, and what you see is what you get only better in person! I've got the slide show done in flash slide show and sky album, but can't seem to get the html code. I've spent a lot of time on it, but I will figure it out and post.

jason

This is one of the 68, I put some clip art & captions too so it looks cure, just wish I could figure out how to post it :-)

Sep 23, 2008 04:08 PM

Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist

KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA

Probate Real Estate Services

Kim - I am definitely me and only me. I don't wear hats and have nothing to hide. I recently closed escrow with a client I met at an open house. Knowing she had met many other Realtors at open houses - I asked her at the closing - why she decided to work with me. She said - "because you were genuine with me from the start." She not only bought me a closing gift she bought lunch for my entire office - food for 20 people! I love being me and others love it too. Thanks for a fun reading post. Cool hat!

Sep 23, 2008 04:16 PM

Jim Frimmer

HomeSmart Realty West - San Diego, CA

Realtor & CDPE, Mission Valley specialist

I thought I wore a lot of hats as a manager of Borders Books and Music:

People returning books
People returning books after having read them and wanting their money back because they didn't like the ending
People returning music
People returning music after having recorded it because they didin't need the artwork, just the music
People returning paper from Paper Chase
People returning paper from Paper Chase after having used five sheets ("There's still five sheets there for someone else.")

Being a Realtor has that beat all to smithereens, and I don't even know what smithereens are! LOL

Sep 26, 2008 01:53 AM